Destroying Angel?

[will20fitz]

Hi there,

I know i should have taken more photos (gills, etc), but i'm inclined to think this might be a Destroying Angel (Amantia virosa)?

It was growing on loose bark chippings near some pine trees (mid Wales, July 2011).

Any help appreciated!

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by will20fitz

Hi there,

I know i should have taken more photos (gills, etc), but i'm inclined to think this might be a Destroying Angel (Amantia virosa)?

It was growing on loose bark chippings near some pine trees (mid Wales, July 2011).

Any help appreciated!

Hi,

What you have there is Volvariella gloicephala which typically fruits on woodchip.
The genus Volvariella has the sac-like tissue at the base of the stem as does the genus Amanita, this is a remnant of what is called a universal veil. However, as well as the universal veil, The Destroying Angel also has a partial veil which covers the gills when young, when mature this splits away forming a rather tatty ring on the stem. Volvariella do not have this partial veil and therefore no ring. You will also find with A. virosa that it will have remnants of the universal veil all the way up the stem giving it a patterned appearance unlike V. gloicephala which appears smooth.

You were wise in sending this through though as they are easily confused by those relatively new to fungi.

Hope this helps

Thanks

Andy